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RF Therapeutics Inc.

Background

 

 

Magnetic Resonance Imaging

MRI is a diagnostic imaging system for investigating internal medical problems without the need for surgery or stronger types of radiation such as x-rays. In order to maximize the efficiency of the technique and to differentiate tissue types, it is often necessary to apply what is called a contrast agent (CA) into the patient's bloodstream in order to see problems more clearly.

CA's are usually of the type known as blood pool agents and are injected into the patient to show up in the bloodstream. They are useful in many diagnostic areas where blood flow is an indicator of disease.

These CA's usually depend on the coordination properties of metals in order to enhance the visibility of the agent in the bloodstream. For instance, manganese and gadolinium are often used in order to get better contrast.

Newer applications look beyond the blood pool effect of the older types of CA's and address the needs of medical professionals to identify specific tissue types. In particular, research has revealed that certain metal complexes may be able to show tumor types very specifically. Although this area of research is still quite new, it does offer the opportunity for development of potentially extremely useful agents.

RF Therapeutics Inc. is developing a new type of CA, one that has a particular affinity for necrotic or dead tissue. Extensive preliminary research in Europe has shown that some metal complexes have a high affinity for dead tissue, while clearing the body, normally in a few hours.

This ability gives the medical profession the opportunity to view damaged areas of the body very clearly and precisely. Areas of interest include MCI, reperfusion damage and a new area of cancer therapy called radio frequency ablation.